We've two herds of Exmoor ponies that help us look after this special place without the need for intensive human intervention.

To maintain and improve the land that we care for here on the White Cliffs, we need to control the growth of scrub brush. The most effective and sustainable means of this kind of care on chalk grassland is by grazing with livestock.

The perfect tool for the job

The Exmoor pony is an ideal breed to use for conservation. The ponies are intelligent and resourceful. They will not only graze grass but will also browse hawthorn berries, young trees and thistle buds. They'll even strip off bark.

A very hardy breed, the Exmoor pony does extremely well on land like the White Cliffs, particularly when kept in extensive systems (low numbers of animals per hectare).

Improving the land for the future

Our herds have been grazing here for nearly 20 years. Over this time they've had a highly successful effect on the areas biodiversity.

They are managed as an extensive, semi-wild herd. We check them regularly, and vets perform a general assessment every year to make sure they're in good health.